There several different types of brushes for horses, each designed to play a specific role in keeping your horse’s coat clean, shiny and healthy when used on a regular basis.
Generally speaking, inside every grooming kit should be a body brush, which is soft enough to use on the horse’s face and a tail, and is effective for brushing dust out of a coat. You’ll also need a dandy brush, which has stiffer bristles and is better suited to grooming muddy or particularly dirty horses. Many people also like to have a separate face brush — a small, soft brush ideal for use on the head — and a curry comb to hand too.
If you own multiple horses, you may choose to have different brushes for each one; or at least separate dandy and body brushes, which are the main horse brushes used. It’s not essential, but some people believe it’s more hygienic — and it’s recommended if one of the horses has a skin condition.
Buying horse brushes
Horse brushes are made by different manufacturers, which is great news as it means there is plenty of choice. It also means that brushes designed to do the same job will feel different.
One brand’s body brush might be softer than another body brush designed by a different company, for example. They come in different sizes to suit small hands (children’s ranges for example) and larger ones, as well as umpteen colour choices so that you can coordinate your horse brushes with the rest of your gear.
Some horses prefer soft brushes, while others won’t mind which you use.
My old Thoroughbred Armageddon (‘Arnie’) — he was just shy of 18hh — is the only horse I’ve ever had who didn’t like being groomed. He would fidget, pin his ears back and even kick out on a particularly grumpy day.
All the usual health checks were carried out and there was nothing wrong with him, he just had sensitive skin.
Arnie was transformed when I bought the softest brush I have ever felt while shopping at Badminton Horse Trials. After that he would stand still to be groomed – but with this brush only! That brush was the Vale Brothers Body Brush, which is available to buy here.
Types of horse brushes
A good basic grooming kit will contain a selection of key horse brushes that are all designed for a specific purpose. You can buy these brushes individually or purchase a grooming kit that will contain all the brushes you will need, such as this set designed by Alan Davies, the man behind Valegro’s coat shine. Some sets come with a useful bag or box in which to store them.
This is what the main types of horse brushes are and what they should be used for:
Rubber and/or plastic curry comb
This is a short-toothed comb made from rubber or plastic that loosens hair, dirt and other particles. It also stimulates the skin for healthy blood flow and the production of natural oils.
Dandy brush
A dandy brush has long, stiff bristles to remove dirt and hair that’s been brought up by the curry comb. The bristles might be made of plastic or natural fibres.
Body brush
This is a soft-bristled brush that is used to remove dust and grease from the coat and produce a shine. Body horse brushes are made with natural fibres, such as horsehair or goat hair, or from soft, synthetic fibres. They usually need to be used in conjunction with a metal curry comb in order to remove dust.
Metal curry comb
This is used to remove dirt from body brushes during grooming, by moving the body brush’s bristles across the curry comb’s teeth after every few brush strokes.
Mane comb
This grooming kit essential is used to remove knots from the mane and tail. You could use a body brush for this job instead, or look for a purpose-made mane brush.
Face brush
This type of horse brush is usually the smallest of the lot, perfectly sized to brush the face and delicate area around the eyes and muzzle. It should be soft too.
Other useful horse brushes
Complete your grooming kit with a hoof pick, cloth for using to do a final wipe over, and a separate cloth (or wipes) for cleaning dirty ears and eyes.
You’ll also need a hoof brush if you plan to apply hoof oil/ointment. All types of horse brushes need to be looked after if you want them to do the job they are designed for and keep your horse’s coat clean.
Check the manufacturer’s recommendations, but broadly speaking washing them in warm soapy water when they are dirty and rinsing thoroughly will help them last longer and do their job efficiently.
Shop for horse brushes
KBF99 Body Brush
This clever brush helps in the prevention and spread of diseases such as strangles and ringworm. The soft fibre bristles are impregnated with the KBF99 additive to give the brush proven bacteria and fungus-like killing properties. This body brush is also ergonomically designed to be comfortable for the groom.
Colours: black, blue, purple, burgundy, pink.
RRP £19.95 (US$28)
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Buying in the USA? Purchase here
LeMieux Flexi Soft Body Brush
The design of this brush allows it to flex so you can groom every part of your horse’s body with ease — even the bits that can be tricky to reach. The ergonomic shape fits your hand perfectly, helping to reduce the need to grip and making the brush really comfortable to use. The adjustable strap keeps it securely in your hand and the synthetic bristles help to remove dirt from your horse’s coat.
Colour: blue or black (green available in the USA only).
RRP £9.95 (US$15.95)
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Buying in the USA? Purchase here
Supreme Products Perfection Body Brush
This brush will create an excellent base shine to the coat. The soft horse hair bristles effectively help to remove finer particles and dust so that your horse really gleams. The back of the brush is shaped to fit your hand comfortably and a leather handle ensures that it’s easy to hold.
Colour: black only RRP £17.50 (US$20, sale price)
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Buying in the USA? Purchase here
Horze Horsehair Dandy Brush
This dandy brush has soft medium-length bristles that are made of natural horsehair and has a strong wooden back.
RRP £13.99 (US$19.99)
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Buying in the USA? Purchase here
Ezi-Groom Grip Dandy Brush from Shires Equestrian
This brush has a soft-hold grip back with stiff synthetic bristles and is designed to remove mud and sweat from the hair of unclipped horses and ponies without removing essential oils from the coat.
Colours: pink, lime green, orange and more traditional colour options
RRP £4.49 (US$5.99)
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Buying in the USA? Purchase here
Hy Equestrian Tractors Rock Dandy Brush
This fun dandy brush by Hy Equestrian has contrasting navy and red bristles and is a part of the Tractors Rock range. It has a navy handle with red logo on the top of the brush.
RRP £3.59 (sale price) (US$12.20)
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Buying in the USA? Purchase here
Red Gorilla Dandy Brush
This two-toned dandy brush is ideal for removing dried mud and dried sweat from unclipped horses after a day in the field. The brush is durable and designed with hard bristles.
RRP £4.99
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Premier Equine Soft-touch Dandy Brush
This brush has long bristles to help flick away dust, dried sweat and dirt from a horse’s coat. An essential piece of your grooming kit.
Colours: black/red, blue/peacock, orange/amber, wine/fuchsia
RRP £7.80
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Worldwide delivery available
Cottage Craft Classic Face Brush
This mixed-colour bristle brush is designed specifically for faces. It is easily carried and stored due to its size, ensuring it is ready to hand when needed.
Colour: navy/purple. RRP £2.36 (sale price)
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
European delivery available
HyShine Deluxe Wooden Face Brush
This is a dark brown lacquered face brush with black horse hair bristles and a wooden handle.
RRP £4.39 (sale price) (US$11.20)
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Buying in the USA? Purchase here
